Tibetans Will Create Art At Bruton Parish

WILLIAMSBURG — Tibetan Buddhist monks will construct a mandala sand painting at Bruton Parish House in Williamsburg this weekend.

Buddhists believe that building a mandala (pronounced "mon-dah-lah") is a form of meditation that brings about world healing and peace.

Opening ceremonies begin at 5 p.m. Friday, when the monks will pray to spiritual forces of goodness. The 30-minute ceremony includes chanting, music and recitation. The monks begin their painting by drawing an outline of the mandala on a wooden platform.

The process continues with the monks' laying down layers of colored sand from a metal funnel called a chak-pur. Visitors can view the making of the mandala from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, and starting at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will end early Sunday afternoon with the monks sweeping up their sand creation and destroying it as a symbol of the impermanence of life.

The monks are from Drepung Loseling Monastery in India. They have constructed sand paintings in more than 30 North American cities.

For more information, call the Bruton Parish House, 331 North Duke of Gloucester Street, 229- 2891.

Dave Schleck can be reached at 247-7430 or by e-mail at dschleck@dailypress.com